Southwest Wheel has frame kits, don't know if they're heavy duty enough though, but if you're at the point you need a new frame and obviously skilled enough to have tackled an Airstream renovation, why not build your own? 2 x 4 or 2 x 5 box tube for the frame and 2 x 3 or 2 x 2 angle for the center floor, almost done. The outriggers are available from Airstream as are the axle mounting plates if you're planning on changing from leaf springs to torsion. What a time to design your under floor areas for waste tanks and maybe even a water tank.

I find that owners of these older coaches tend to over build, if Airstream had taken as much care and expense as todays vintage owners there wouldn't be any repair work to do.

I'm in the process of making new frame for my 54 Cruiser. I removed the shell and floor and welded some tabs on the outside of the frame so I could use the existing frame as the template for the new one. I went with 2x4x3/16 rectangular tubing which weighs 6.87#/ft and is not much more than the original channel that weighed 5.4#/ft. I used light gauge metal cross members (12ga.) as they did on the original. I'm converting over to a torsion axle and ordered factory style axle brackets and a 5,000 lb axle from Inland. It's been a fairly easy process and it has enabled me to customize the frame for the new style axle and the addition of grey and black water tanks.

It may be possible to use Tedd's frame, if the front axle is the same distance from the tongue that your tradewind's axle is. You can lop off the back couple of feet of frame, and be ready to re-install. Just an idea, if no one else steps forward with a frame.

__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry

Thanks for the ideas and comments. I think the best choice is to make a new one, but I wanted to be sure there wasn't a pristine frame just laying about in someone's garage.

Ken,

This is a rescue mission for another Airstreamer that lurks but doesn't post. They have a very cute '60 Tradewind and two kids. As always, cost is an issue. Ultradog has volunteered to help with the welding, and I have volunteered to watch and offer moral support.